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IWSC opens entries for retailer awards
The International Wine & Spirit Competition has opened entries for its Independent Retailer of the Year award, as well as launching a new award to support the online retail sector.
Last year’s IWSC Independent Retailer of the Year, Direct Wine Shipments
The Online Retailer of the Year award recognises the growing importance of the internet for wine and spirit sales. A report by Wine Intelligence released at the end of last year estimated the UK online wine market alone as being worth £800 million, or 11% of the country’s total wine sales. Entries into this category will be judged on their range, social media presence and customer engagement.
Meanwhile the IWSC is also on the hunt for its Independent Retailer of the Year, an award won last year by Northern Ireland’s Direct Wine Shipments. Sponsored by ProWein, the prize aims to recognise the work carried out by this sector in “encouraging the understanding, and sales, of quality wines and spirits.”
Commenting on the importance of these two retailing awards to the competition, IWSC general manager Ewan Lacey said: “While the IWSC is known around the world for awarding medals to the very best wines and spirits, we are aware of the vital work performed by both independent wine and spirit retailers and the ever-growing online retailers. It is their knowledge and enthusiasm which encourages consumers to experiment with different products and gain a deeper knowledge of wines and spirits.”
The entry deadline for both categories is 1 September, with voting opened to consumers from 5-24 September. All votes will be entered into a prize draw to win a mixed case of wine. Once the votes have been counted, a final shortlist will be drawn up and the judges’ decision will be announced at the IWSC Awards Banquet on 12 November in London.
Nominations can be made via either http://www.iwsc.net/online-retailer or http://www.iwsc.net/independent-retailer, with the chance to support candidates further and keep up to date with their progress via Twitter using #iwscbestindie and #iwscbestonline.